It occurred to me that the way he took to it, I better get started on his next one.  I found a nice poor boy kit that's offered lefthanded for $599 US.  Which is of course about $598 more than I have.  But one of the options is a .40 cal 13/16" barrel.  I'm thinking that would be light enough for a preteen boy to handle and with tolerable recoil.  He's 8 now, but I'm slow getting anything done.  I've got a few to build already including a .40 cal Kentucky.  Hopefully I can chisel enough of my tax return from momma to get the barrel for that.  I already have the lock and stock blank.  So many projects ...so little time and money.  Josh